As a former Division 1 scholarship athlete, captain of the women’s soccer team at Cal State Long Beach, and now a surfer and psychotherapist, I often find myself working with other driven, ambitious, and competitive individuals. Whether they are “former” athletes (I’m not sure that ever really goes away), crushing it in their corporate careers, navigating entrepreneurship, or a bit of both, I’ve been reflecting lately on the athlete mindset. In conversations with my physical

Breakups are rarely "clean." Often endings are "messy" where we go back and forth either with ourselves or our partner. And, we often don't just wake up one day and realize "I’m completely fine and over it." Instead, you land somewhere in the middle, a strange, untethered space where your old life is gone, but the new one hasn't quite started yet. In a culture that constantly pressures us to move on quickly, get back on the dating scene, or find closure, being in a middle gro

Often times couples and individuals practicing ENM come to me with the question: "What if my partner meets someone better than me?" From a narrative and collaborative therapeutic perspective, this question isn't a sign that you aren't "cut out" for ENM. Instead, it’s a natural response to hearing a lifelong story about love, scarcity, and self-worth around monogamy. Are you exploring polyamory or open relationships and wondering if a therapist will truly understand your dynam

When couples first step off the "relationship escalator" and begin exploring Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM), the default can to build a list of rules. It’s completely understandable... when stepping into unfamiliar emotional territory, our minds naturally look for things to create a sense of control and safety. However, from a narrative and collaborative therapeutic perspective, there is a profound difference between rules and agreements. Rules can feel less collaborative and mig

When people land on the question, "Am I having an emotional affair?" it’s almost never out of nowhere. It’s usually a realization that comes after weeks or months of small shifts. Advice often tries to break this down using buzzwords, diagnostic labels, or rules about physical boundaries. But through a narrative and feminist lens, we don't need to pathologize anyone to get to the truth. I think the conversation about choices, power, and accountability. The Line Between Frie

What Have Your Relationships Taught You to Discern? Michael White, one of the founders of Narrative Therapy, wrote about Skills of Discernment we develop through our experiences. We all have forms of treatment that we stand for, and forms of treatment that we stand against. Our relationships can teach us a lot about these distinctions. Perhaps a past relationship helped you recognize what care means to you. Maybe you learned that you need direct communication, tenderness, ind

What Makes a Therapist Polyamory-Affirming? If you've ever searched for a therapist while practicing polyamory, ethical non-monogamy (ENM), or being in an open relationship, you may have wondered: Will this therapist actually understand my relationship? For many people, the concern isn't whether a therapist is accepting. It's whether they'll truly understand the unique dynamics, challenges, and strengths that can come with open relationships. As a therapist who works with pol

As a recent guest on The Cycle podcast, I talk about the grief of my Endometriosis diagnosis, the support that helped me see how much I was struggling, and the insights from Narrative Therapy that continuously help me in my relationship to endo. I also share practical insights on sleep, stress, and nervous system regulation for those navigating endometriosis. Full episode here. Endometriosis and menstrual-related mood disorders such as PMS and PMDD are often discussed separat

As a podcast guest on the Yellow Hub Podcast for Endometriosis Research, this conversation explores PMDD symptoms, differentiation from PMS, emotional and nervous system impact, and treatment approaches from a therapeutic lens. I also share my personal struggles with PMDD, as well as what I've found helpful in navigating challenges in the late luteal phase. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a hormone-related mood disorder that can significantly impact emotional, cogni

Quick answer: Types of Individual Therapy...Which Approach Might Fit You Best? If you’re wondering about the different types of...

Quick Answer: If you’re deciding between individual therapy vs family therapy , here’s the short version: Individual therapy gives you...

Quick Answer: 5 Myths About PMDD Care (and What You Actually Need to Know) PMDD care is often surrounded by misinformation — from being brushed off as “just bad PMS” to being told the only option is birth control or antidepressants. In reality, PMDD is a complex condition that requires individualized support, and there are many ways to manage symptoms beyond the common myths. By naming these misconceptions, we can make space for real strategies and compassionate care that act

Quick Answer: Will couples therapy work? Yes, couples therapy can be effective when both partners bring honesty, openness, and a willingness to engage in the process. It helps couples slow down conflict, improve communication, and explore whether they want to rebuild trust, strengthen their bond, or part with clarity. When partners start asking this question, it’s usually because they’re feeling stuck in something that seems exhausting, lonely, or hard to shift on their own.

Quick Answer: How often does abuse happen? Research shows that nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience intimate partner...

Quick Answer: What is the most common therapy? The most common form of therapy is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) . Backed by...

Quick Answer: Is Couples Therapy Only for Married People? Couples therapy isn’t just for married people — it’s for anyone in a...

Quick Answer: Types of Relationship Therapy. Relationship therapy comes in many forms, and it’s not just for married couples. Couples...

Quick Answer: How Much Therapy Do I Need? The amount of therapy you need depends on your goals, challenges, and the pace that feels...

Quick Answer: Is Couples Therapy Covered by Insurance? Couples therapy is sometimes covered by insurance, but coverage varies widely...

When abuse or violence has been present, what’s often violated goes beyond physical safety—it cuts into a person’s dignity, agency, and the values they hold most dear. That’s why, in my practice, I center myself in Response-Based Practice (Allan Wade), which recognizes and honors the ways people respond to mistreatment—even when those responses aren't immediately visible.